BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. — Video obtained by NEA Report shows a pursuit that Arkansas State Police said reached speeds over 120 mph before ending with a third Tactical Vehicle Intervention maneuver in Blytheville.
The pursuit happened around 1:07 a.m. May 14 after the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office began pursuing a white passenger vehicle northbound on U.S. 61 through Luxora, according to an Arkansas State Police incident report. The vehicle was reportedly traveling more than 120 mph in a posted 55 mph zone.
Trooper First Class Blaine Middlecoff wrote in the report that he was on the Big Lake bridge near Manila when he was notified of the pursuit. He activated his emergency lights and siren and responded toward Blytheville, eventually catching up near Byrum Road and Division Street.
By the time Middlecoff assumed the lead position, the fleeing vehicle had slowed significantly because of spike strips deployed by the Blytheville Police Department, the report said.
The vehicle then entered the Farm Bureau parking lot, drove between two trees and continued into a field behind the business before entering the parking lot of the Department of Human Services building.
While in the DHS parking lot, a Blytheville police unit attempted to stop the vehicle by making contact with it, but the attempt was unsuccessful, according to the report. Middlecoff wrote that he saw the driver moving around inside the vehicle in a way that appeared consistent with trying to find an opportunity to get out and run.
The vehicle continued into a field behind the DHS building at a slow speed. Middlecoff wrote that he determined conditions were safe to attempt a Tactical Vehicle Intervention, or TVI, to end the pursuit.
The first TVI attempt was unsuccessful. The report said the suspect then struck a Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office unit while continuing to flee.
Middlecoff attempted a second TVI, trying to redirect the vehicle into a nearby ditch, but the driver maintained control and continued fleeing.
The third TVI disabled the vehicle after Middlecoff struck the passenger side, deploying the airbags, according to the report. Two Blytheville police units then boxed in the vehicle and officers ordered the driver to surrender.
Officer Trevor Jones removed the driver, identified as Skhori Cannon, and placed him in handcuffs without further incident, the report said.
When asked why he ran, Cannon reportedly said family members were being shot at in Gosnell. Middlecoff wrote that he contacted the Gosnell Police Department, which advised there were no reports of shots being fired.
Cannon was taken to the Mississippi County Detention Center. He was charged with fleeing in a vehicle, reckless driving, speeding, driving on a suspended license, expired vehicle registration, criminal mischief greater than $1,000 and numerous warrants with other agencies, according to the report.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH OTHERS:
Discover more from NEA Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Be the first to comment